ORIGINAL_ARTICLEA Novel Algorithm for Accurate Diagnosis of Hepatitis B and Its SeverityBackground and Objectives: Accurate detection of type and severity of Hepatitis is crucial for effective treatment of the disease. While several computational algorithms for detection of Hepatitis have been proposed to date, their limited performance leaves room for further improvement. This paper proposes a novel computational method for the diagnosis of Hepatitis B using pattern detection techniques. Methods: Clinical data of healthy individuals and those suspected of Hepatitis B were collected from the laboratories of Vasei Hospital in Sabzevar (Iran). Using the algorithm, first, data were normalized, then SVM classifier was used for detection of Hepatitis B, and finally, adaptive FCM was applied for measuring the severity of the disease. Findings: Application of the algorithm to plenary database yielded 98.36%, detection accuracy, 98.44% sensitivity, and 94.06% specificity. Conclusions: Low PPV and high NPV of the proposed method indicate its high reliability for use in practical diagnosis of Hepatitis B and its severity.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6106_1c70861acca4dded42c20f3d3796de6a.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:20110Hepatitis BChronic HepatitisAcute HepatitisDiagnosisArtificial intelligenceData miningSupport Vector Machines (SVM)Fuzzy C-Means (FCM)KhosroRezaeekh.rezaee@hsu.ac.irtrue1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranLEAD_AUTHORJavadHaddadniasina.mortezaee@aol.comtrue2Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranAUTHORMohammadRasegh Ghezelbashm.rasegh@gmail.comtrue3Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenAUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEJob Satisfaction among Nurses and Doctors in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Western Nigeria: a Cross- Sectional StudyBackground and Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the levels of job satisfaction and its correlates among nurses and doctors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH); and to compare the levels of job satisfaction between nurses and doctors. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 350 nurses and doctors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital were surveyed. Socio-demographic data, employment characteristics and job satisfaction data were collected using questionnaire. Correlation between job satisfaction and socio-demographic and employment characteristics was examined using chi-square test and Pearson coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Findings: No significant difference in the average daily duration of work was found between nurses and doctors. The average length of service was significantly higher in nurses as compared with the doctors (P = 0.03). Nurses were found to be significantly more satisfied with their job as compared with doctors (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The finding that nurses in the surveyed hospital are more satisfied with their job compared with the doctors is interesting because the nurses are generally thought to have more difficult work conditions and lower wages. Hence further research worth to be conducted to identify the relevant reasons.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6107_5cc5f6e97914adc626e452e8ba822762.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:201118Job SatisfactionNursesDoctorsHospitalEmmanuelUgwadrajulugreatgod@hotmail.co.zatrue1Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaObstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaObstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaLEAD_AUTHORLimanMuhammadtrue2Accounting Department, Bayero University, Kano, NigeriaAccounting Department, Bayero University, Kano, NigeriaAccounting Department, Bayero University, Kano, NigeriaAUTHORCharityUgwatrue3Nursing Services Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaNursing Services Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaNursing Services Department, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaAUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLESleepiness and Changes in Vital Signs among the Clinical Shift Working StaffBackground and Objectives: Today, 24-hours work is an unavoidable component in several industries. Night-work is an imperative situation for an important part of workforces. Shift-working is called to work at hours out of usual day-work time (7:00 am to 6:00 pm). The present study was a cross sectional descriptive-analytic research, and was carried out in order to investigate sleepiness and changes in vital signs among the clinical shift workers staff at Imam Khomeini hospital in Ilam. Methods: Statistical population of the research was determined to be 79 persons, and data collection process was carried out in a simple random manner. Two questionnaires were used to collect data; a demographic questionnaire, and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) questionnaire. A medical thermometer and one manometer were also used to gather data related to oral temperature and blood pressure. Potential relationship between sleepiness and demographic and professional factors was explored using Perason's correlation coeficient. Findings: Sleepiness was found to be significantly correlated with age, work experience, and Body Mass Index (BMI), and level of education (P < 0.05). In addition, sleepiness showed significant inverse correlations with body temperature and blood pressure (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results identified a number of important factors influencing sleepiness in clinicians. Considering these factors is of great importance when selecting staff for shift working, in order to enhance health care performance and prevent medication errors.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6115_c473001d3f3a0c41b526cbfceda740e0.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:201924SleepinessVital signsClinical shift workersSaberMoraditrue1Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAUTHORFatemehMansouritrue2Department of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranAUTHORFaramarzSoritrue3Department of Medical Physiology, Medicine College, Iran University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Medical Physiology, Medicine College, Iran University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Medical Physiology, Medicine College, Iran University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAUTHORAbdolhesseinPournajaftrue4Department of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranAUTHORAliMohammad Abbasitrue5Department of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranDepartment of Occupational health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IranAUTHORArashAkbarzadehtrue6Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, IranDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, IranDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, IranAUTHORFaramarzGharagozloutrue7Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kermanshah, IranDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kermanshah, IranDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kermanshah, IranAUTHORMahsaHamitrue8Firoozkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, IranFiroozkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, IranFiroozkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, IranAUTHORMohsenKarchanitrue9Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus (TUMS-IC), Tehran, IranDepartment of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus (TUMS-IC), Tehran, IranDepartment of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus (TUMS-IC), Tehran, IranLEAD_AUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEComparative Impact of In-Presence and Distance Learning Methods on Knowledge Improvement in the Healthcare WorkersBackground and Objectives: In continuous medical learning programs, selection of appropriate learning methods is important for streaming individuals by learning process. The goal of this study is to compare in-presence learning method with distance learning method and explore their effect on the knowledge of health workers (practical nurses) in terms of reduced expenses. Methods: The study is a descriptive study in case – control study. In this study, the researcher performs various learning programs in order to improve knowledge of health workers and assesses this change during a comparison between primary and secondary tests. In one control group and three groups case groups were randomly selected from among practical nurses. The comparison was made by Mc Timar Test, paired t-test, analysis of variance and HSD test. Findings: Participation in classes was found to be difficult for the nurses in half of the studied units (51.7%) and 45.7% of individuals tend to pass their courses (studying hygiene) by distance learning methods (self-teaching + communicating with professors). Conclusions: Distance learning method would be more effective in improving knowledge of health workers compared with in-presence learning method.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6108_f7b3e884780a79d01dfa1a14edf0e246.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:202529Distance learningIn-presence learningEducationHealthcare WorkersSelf-teachingAsgariHeydaritrue1Department of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranAUTHORLeilaRiahiplriahi@yahoo.comtrue2Department of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Services Management, College of Management and Economics, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranLEAD_AUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEEvaluation of Preventive Interventions in Reporting Needle Stick Injuries among Health Care WorkersBackground and Objective: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are a common potential risk for healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate preventive interventions against needle stick injury incidents among HCWs. Methods: Seven hospitals in the Iranian Chaharmahal-VA-Bakhtiari Province were surveyed between March 2008 to March 2013. Data of the needle stick injuries of healthcare workers was extracted from the hospital documentations. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analyzing the data. Findings: A total of 571 exposures (30.9%) to blood and other infected fluids were recorded. Three measures of the preventive interventions against occupational exposures were found to be independently associated with interval reporting time less than 72 hours; a positive history of training courses passed [P=0. 012, OR=0. 440, 95%CI: 0.233-0.832], standard infection control procedures after needle stick injury [P=0. 000, OR=4. 905, 95%CL: 2.777 –8.663], wearing personal protective equipment [P=0. 000, OR=9. 313, 95%CL: 4.142 – 20.940]. Conclusions: Personnel protective equipment, training of employees, and use of standard infection control procedures after NSI incident are both essential and effective in preventing viral transmission of blood-borne diseases among healthcare workers.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6109_1a21d4cabfc610cd4ed8819d6041f7e9.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:203136Healthcare WorkersOCCUPATIONAL EXPOSUREPreventive interventionsMohammadMoazeni-Bistganitrue1Surgery Department, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranSurgery Department, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranSurgery Department, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranAUTHORShahlaShahrjerditrue2Health Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranHealth Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranHealth Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IranLEAD_AUTHORNasserKhosravitrue3School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, IranSchool of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, IranSchool of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, IranAUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEMediating Role of Perceived Control in the Impact of Personal Qualities on Job Stress among Hospital StaffBackground and Objectives: Studies of the relationship between personal qualities and job consequences usually find poor and inconsistent correlations. It is suggested that the reason may lie in ignorance of some modifying factors mediating such relationship. The perceived control has attracted much attention as a candidate factor. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of the perceived control in the impact of agreeableness and neuroticism on job stress in the hospital staff. Methods: A conceptual model was developed, in which neuroticism and agreeableness were considered as the independent variables, perceived control, the mediating variable, and job stress the dependent variable. The statistical population of the study included all the staff of Imam Reza Hospital in Urumia of whom 248 were selected using random sampling. Using Morgan Table, sample size of 248 was achieved. Neuroticism and agreeableness were assessed through NEO big five factor inventories. Perceived control was evaluated using Tetrick and Larocco questionnaire (Tetrick and Larocco, 1987). Job stress was measured using the scale developed by House and Rizzo (House and Rizzo, 1972). The conceptual model was fitted to the data using structural equation modeling technique. Findings: Both agreeableness significant positive correlation with job stress and significant negative correlation with perceived control. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that causal impact of personality traits on job stress is mediated through the perceived control.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6129_d128d161b743e94b4783123c0f8a77c1.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:203742Personal qualitiesagreeablenessneuroticismJob StressPerceived controlHospital staffAbolfazlGhasemzadeh Alishahighasemzadee@yahoo.comtrue1Department of Education, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Education, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Education, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranLEAD_AUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEDevelopment and Validation of the Preliminary Version of Brief Inpatient Satisfaction Scale (BISS)Background and Objectives: Questionnaire-based survey is the most common way of assessing patient satisfaction. However, most relevant survey instruments have been developed in western countries, and valid and reliable context-specific survey tools in this area are lacking. To help filling this gap, in this study we have developed and validated the preliminary version of the novel Brief Inpatient Satisfaction Scale (BISS) to be used in an Iranian context. Methods: Initially 32 items were included by reviewing different aspects of patient satisfaction in the literature. A sample of 637 patients from Moheb hospital (Tehran, Iran) was surveyed for the purpose of instrument evaluation in autumn of 2013. In various steps of scale development, 6 items were discarded due to psychometric reasons. Content validity was examined by seeking experts’ opinions, the internal consistency reliability by Cronbach’s alpha, and the construct validity was tested using correlation analysis. Findings: A 26-item survey for measuring patient satisfaction in an Iranian context was developed. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution. The extracted factors were named physician care, nursing care, living arrangements, and communication. Two factors were perfectly loaded while two others showed cross-loadings. An internal consistency reliability of 0.91 was observed for the entire instrument. The subscales showed alpha coefficients of 0.85, 0.86, 0.75, and 0.71, respectively. Conclusions: The preliminary version of BISS could be used to evaluate patient satisfaction in an Iranian context with adequate reliability. Further improvement should focus on improving the reliability of living arrangements, and communication dimensions.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6112_23c8c07f25104d89ee49e49a00469d8a.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:204348Patient SatisfactionSurvey Instrument DevelopmentBrief Inpatient Satisfaction Scale (BISS)ValidityReliabilityMaryamAtarimaryam.attari@yahoo.comtrue1Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, IranFaculty of Management, University of Tehran, IranFaculty of Management, University of Tehran, IranAUTHORSaeedAkbari Zardkhanehakbari76ir@yahoo.comtrue2Department of Assessment and Measurement, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Assessment and Measurement, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Assessment and Measurement, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, IranAUTHORMohammadAtarimohammad.attari@yahoo.comtrue3Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranDepartment of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranDepartment of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranLEAD_AUTHORNeginNaderi-fartrue4Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranPharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranPharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranAUTHORORIGINAL_ARTICLEHospital Performance Evaluation Using Pabon Lasso AnalysisBackground and Objectives: Hospital is the largest and most costly operating unit of healthcare system. Provision of optimal care requires that hospital administrators identify hospital performance based on relevant indicators. This study used the Pabon Lasso analysis to assess the performance of hospitals and identify strategies towards an improved hospital performance. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved all the eight general hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data on average length of stay, bed occupation and bed turnover rates were collected using questionnaire. Findings: The overall average length of stay, bed occupation and bed turnover rates were 4.78 days, 79.95% and 28.36, respectively. One hospital demonstrated inefficiency and underutilization of resources by falling into Zone I, two hospitals located in Zone II, and five hospitals were placed in Zone IV. None of the hospitals were located in Zone III which represents a satisfactory level of efficiency. Conclusions: The study showed the studied hospitals have generally low performance as indicated by Pabon Lasso analysis. The administrators should therefore seek a strategy for balancing average length of stay, bed occupation and bed turnover rates for an improved hospital performance.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_6113_baa5bda3d4217c1f2bad095aa95e115b.pdf2014-03-01T11:23:202020-06-07T11:23:20267272Hospital managementPerformance AssessmentPabon Lasso AnalysisAverage length of stayBed occupation rateBed turnover rateGholamrezaMasoumigreza.masoumi@gmail.comtrue1Department of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAUTHORMohamadHoseini Kasnaviyehtrue2Department of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Emergency Care, School of medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranLEAD_AUTHORAlirezaTaherizadetrue3Department of Health Care Management,
School of Management, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Management,
School of Management, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Management,
School of Management, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, IranAUTHORMohamadPanahitrue4Department of Health Care Management, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Management, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Health Care Management, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, IranAUTHOREbrahimNajafitrue5Department of Accounting , School of Accounting and Management, Allameh Tabatabee University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Accounting , School of Accounting and Management, Allameh Tabatabee University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Accounting , School of Accounting and Management, Allameh Tabatabee University, Tehran, IranAUTHOR